2022 Cooks River Fun Run
We were joined by over 500 people a morning of active fun this Cooks River Fun Run! We celebrated the 11th year with great weather, an interactive warm up and complimentary fruit for all.
A big thank you to event sponsors Cooks River Alliance and Rise Personal Training and Fitness as well as charity partner Bowel Cancer Australia who were all on site.
Keep training and we hope to see you at the start line next year!
This great active family event showcases the Bay to Bay cycleway from Freshwater Park to Ford Park, and features a number of categories including a 5km and 10km run, a 5km walk, and a 2km kids run, ensuring there is something for all levels of ability!
For any event queries, please contact events@strathfield.nsw.gov.au
2022 RACE RESULTS CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on all Strathfield Council events.
EVENT DAY PHOTOS
Please See Below Options For 2019 Event Photographs:
EVENT INFO

- 5km out and back course – officially certified by Running Australia
- Runs adjacent to the Cooks River and takes in part of one of Sydney’s best cycle and walking tracks, The Bay to Bay Cycleway.
- Login to Garmin Connect to view course in kilometres.

The Cooks River Fun Run –
Athletics Australia Official Measured Course
This event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities across four events: 5km run, 10km run, 2km kids run and 5km walk.
Below are the fees for 2022*:
Entry Fees | Early Bird | Standard |
Adult 10km | $35 | $45 |
Adult 5km | $30 | $40 |
Child 10km (Under 18) | $25 | $30 |
Child 5km (Under 18) | $20 | $25 |
2km Kids Run (12yrs and under) | $15 | $20 |
5km Walk (open) | $20 | $20 |
Entry fees include a requested tax deductible component of $5,
which will be donated to Bowel Cancer Australia.
*A processing fee is applied to all online transactions.
- Early Bird discounted entries close at 11:59pm on Sunday 5 June 2022
- Online entries at standard pricing will remain open until 11.59pm Saturday 18 June 2022
- Race day entries will be taken from 6:40am at Freshwater Park
5km run
- 12yrs and under male & female
- 13 – 17yrs male & female
- 18 – 29yrs male & female
- 30 – 39yrs male & female
- 40 – 54yrs male & female
- 55yrs + male & female
10km run
- Under 18 male & female
- 18 – 29yrs male & female
- 30 – 39yrs male & female
- 40 – 54yrs male & female
- 55yrs + male & female
2km kids run
- 12 and under male & female
5km Walk
- Open to all ages

Participants should not attend the event if they:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 and should be in isolation
- Live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and has developed symptoms
- Are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19.
If you are unable to attend the event for any of the above mentioned reasons, please email events@strathfield.nsw.gov.au
Entrant Letter
Click here for all the info you need to know on the day of the event.
Event Details
- Race bibs are collected on the morning of the event from 6.40am
- Water stations will be located at the turn around points (2.5km and 5km)
- Open to all ages and abilities
- Warm up sessions will be conducted prior to each race start
- Free bag drop service at Freshwater Park from 6.40am
Bag Drop Service
A free baggage drop off service will be available to all participants on event day at the Bag Drop marquee at Freshwater Park.
All participants who wish to utilise this service must detach the bag drop tag from their race bib (received at the registration area when checking-in) and tie it around their bag for identification (elastic bands available).
Bags will be held within the baggage compound and will only be able to be collected if your race bib number matches the number on the bag tag.
- Limit one bag per person – please secure all items
- Bag drop will open from 6:40am to 11:10am on event day
- Please note: This area will be supervised at all times however, the organisers take no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Race Day Times
- 6.40am Late registrations and bib collection opens at Freshwater Park
- 6.45am Free shuttle bus from Strathfield station commences
- 8.00am 5km registration closes, event marshalling
- 8.05am 5km Run warm up
- 8.30am 5km Run start
- 8.34am 2km Kids Run start
- 8.35am 5km Walk start
- 8.40am 10km registration closes
- 8.45am 10km Run warm up
- 9.10am 10km Run start
Get the photos!
GeoSnap will be onsite to capture the day! Download the photos 24-48 hours after the race.
Follow us on social media for event updates!
RESULTS

5KM MALE | 5KM FEMALE | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Time | Year | Name | Time | Year | |
1 | Max Neumann | 15:39 | 2012 | Imogen Stewart | 16:46 | 2018 | |
2 | Liam Woollett | 15:47 | 2012 | Bronwyn Hager | 17:27 | 2017 | |
3 | Jake Stollery | 16:07 | 2014 | Jessica Guo | 17:47 | 2015 | |
4 | Mark Simpson | 16:12 | 2018 | Shannon Richards | 18:15 | 2018 | |
5 | Stuart Rennie | 16:25 | 2018 | Alexandra Field | 18:46 | 2018 | |
6 | Martin Timms | 16:37 | 2010 | Taylor Porter | 18:50 | 2015 | |
7 | Wayne Bulloch | 16:56 | 2015 | Georgie Farrar | 18:57 | 2017 | |
8 | Nicholas Ratsilis | 17:16 | 2017 | Wendy Walker | 19:01 | 2011 | |
9 | Jack McPhee | 17:12 | 2019 | Suzanne Harrington | 19:22 | 2015 | |
10 | Bradley Mowlam | 17:13 | 2013 | Elmarie O'Regan | 19:35 | 2011 | |
10KM MALE | 10KM FEMALE | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Time | Year | Name | Time | Year | |
1 | Kieran Roche | 33:09 | 2015 | Belinda Martin | 35:23 | 2018 | |
2 | Julien Benmokhtar | 33:27 | 2012 | Lauren Hamilton | 36:13 | 2014 | |
3 | Tom Middleton | 33:39 | 2015 | Lauren Reid | 36:48 | 2017 | |
4 | Neil Pearson | 33:43 | 2015 | Suzi Heaton | 38:42 | 2014 | |
5 | Brendan Davies | 33:48 | 2010 | Louise Noble | 38:43 | 2017 | |
6 | Jake Stollery | 34:00 | 2012 | Michelle McAdam | 38:45 | 2019 | |
7 | Dani Andres | 34:07 | 2011 | Michelle McAdam | 38:50 | 2015 | |
8 | Gary Mullins | 34:12 | 2019 | Elise Baker | 38:58 | 2013 | |
9 | Dean Degan | 34:14 | 2015 | Bronwyn Hager | 39:02 | 2014 | |
10 | Michael Cantley | 34:19 | 2011 | Emma Fitzgerald | 39:02 | 2019 |
TRAINING PROGRAM
Program Structure
This program has been designed so that training doesn’t have to be done on any specific day. Just fit your training in when you can rather than on specific days. The program is a general one, that is targeted for endurance and being able to build up to 10km.
During any of the training sessions, if you need to walk, then please do so. Everyone is different and unique. It’s about having fun and improving your fitness. Keep it simple and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
WEEK | RUN #1 | RUN #2 | OPTIONAL SESSION | RUN #3 LONG RUN | DI’S NOTES |
Week 1 | Run 16 minutes, walk 1-3 minutes (repeat) | Run 25 minutes | Cross train 30 minutes | 6km continuous RPE 6 | Cross training can be on a bike, walk, swim, whatever you like really. It could also be a class like yoga or stretching and core work. |
Week 2 | Run 20 minutes, walk 1-3 minutes (repeat) | Run 40 minutes | Cross train 30 minutes | 8km continuous RPE 6 | Easy does it, ease into all of your sessions. Remember, if you need to walk, do so. Recover and start jogging again at a pace that suits you. |
Week 3 | Run 24 minutes, walk 1-3 minutes (repeat) | Run 45 minutes | Cross train 30 minutes | 9km continuous RPE 6 | You’re half way there! Awesome work. |
Week 4 | Run 26 minutes, walk 1-3 minutes (repeat) | Run 50 minutes | Cross train 30 minutes | 10km continuous RPE 6 | Well done. No matter how fast you’ve gone, 10km is a great achievement. |
Week 5 | Run 15 minutes, walk 1-2 minutes (repeat x3) | Run 40 minutes | REST Cross Train | 6km continuous Try to beat your last 6km run RPE 8-9 | Why not treat those hard working muscles to a massage, you deserve it. |
Week 6 | Run 20 minutes, walk 1 minutes (repeat) | Run 30 minutes | REST Friday and Saturday before the run. | RACE DAY 10km RPE 8-10 | Race week! Well done on making it to the start line. If you need to walk some parts then that it’s okay to do so, it’s about enjoying it and having fun. |
Warm Up
Take the time to warm up your muscles and joints, especially now it’s cooler. This will help minimize injury. Start with a walk, to brisk walk and ease into a light jog for a good 5 minutes. If you’re an asthmatic take longer period to warm up, especially in the cold.
Cool down after your runs and stretch. Ease back to a light jog, to a walk for a good 5 minutes and then stretch. Remember your quads, hamstrings, calf muscles, glutes and hip flexors. Practicing good warm up, cool downs and stretching techniques will help aid your recovery and minimize soreness, fatigue and injury.
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
You will notice some of the runs will have a RPE, meaning “Rate of Perceived Exertion”. It is a scale to rate intensity for your training with 1 being the easiest and 10 being the hardest. Use this as an indication for how hard your session should be.
Cross Training
Only do this session if you’re not fatigued from the week and want to do a little more. All times are approximates for cross training, so if you’d like to do a 45 min yoga class, go for it. The idea is active recovery and NOT to get your heart rate up high.
Long Run
There are many purposes and benefits to your long run no matter what distance you’re training for. It helps your muscles and joints to adapt to longer distances, increases your endurance and strengthens your cardiovascular system. Long runs help you become a more efficient runner and are key to any running program. This run is your most important run of the week. If you have to miss a run during one week, then pick this one last.
Long runs should be done at a consistent pace. It’s not an all-out effort, but rather a slow easy-medium effort. You should be able to talk during your long run. You can’t sing, but you can talk!
REST
Rest days are equally as important as training days. It allows your muscles to rebuild, recover and refresh. This means you will be able to train harder is your sessions.
Take a rest day after your long run every week, give those muscles and joints time to recover. If you’re still sore after a day, then take 2 days off. A rest day before (unless it’s a cross training session) and after your long run is preferable.
Listening to your body is imperative to the best preparation possible. We’re all different so do what you need to do for you. This means that if you’re not feeling well, then rest that day. Don’t push through sickness, you’re likely to get worse and need more time off.
Race Day Congratulations on making it to the starting line. Here are a few tips:
- Wear clothes that you’ve trained in to avoid any chafing issues or discomfort.
- Fuel your body and eat breakfast approx. 1:30 hours earlier. This varies depending on the individual and you should practice eating times and types of food before event day to help eliminate any stomach discomfort. Some race day options can be- peanut butter, banana on toast or oats. Keep it pretty simple and remember experiment with this before your runs.
- Try not to go out too fast. It’s easy to be caught up in race day energy and go too hard. Pace yourself wisely. Find a pace that is challenging, but maintainable for the duration of the run. If you have any extra energy towards the end, then go for it. Look for a consistent effort or a negative split (faster) pace at the end.
Getting to the Cooks River Fun Run
The Cooks River Fun Run is held at Freshwater Park, Strathfield.
Public Transport
Freshwater Park is located on bus routes, many of which can be met at Strathfield Train Station.
For detailed public transport options, visit https://transportnsw.info/ and find the easiest method of travel.
Free Shuttle Bus
Strathfield Council will operate a free return shuttle bus service from Strathfield Station to Freshwater Park from 6.45am on the day.
To get the shuttle bus from Strathfield Station, exit to the southern side (toward Strathfield Square) and proceed to the kiss and drop bus zone and sign marked Cooks River Fun Run SHUTTLE BUS STOP HERE to wait the bus. The bus will depart approx. every 15-20 minutes from 6:45am until approx 8.15am.
The bus will return participants to the station following the conclusion of the race.
Strathfield Connector
Hop on the Strathfield Connector!
To view the Strathfield Connector route, please click here.
Cycling
Ditch the car and ride your bicycle to the event!
Parking racks are available as part of the event.
Freshwater Park is on the Bay to Bay Cycleway.
Strathfield Square is accessible from Wilson Street and Ada Avenue.
Pathways
The Cooks River Fun Run is run mainly on concrete paths, however the start and finish are on grass. Please consider this if you require access for prams, wheelchairs and other devices to assist with movement.
Accessible Parking
There is plenty of street parking, however there is no designated disabled parking.
Accessible Bathrooms
Portable accessible bathrooms are onsite for the event.
Changing Facilities
Portable changing facilities are onsite for the event.
Food and Drinks
There are no permeant places to purchase food and drinks, however food and drinks are bought on site as part of the event.
Council staff are on hand during the event to assist visitors.
SPONSORS
Contact us for Sponsorship information
Contact Strathfield Council’s events team
Phone: 02 9748 9992
Email: events@strathfield.nsw.gov.au
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